Power Minerals has completed a 29-hole reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the Santa Anna niobium-gallium-rare earths project in Goiás State, Brazil.
Drilling is part of Power’s due diligence program to follow up historic high-grade niobium, rare earth element (REE) and gallium results reported from the Santa Anna carbonatite asset.
The drilling took place over 2272m, and aimed to confirm historical high-grade results, extend known mineralised zones, and test new areas of the Santa Anna carbonatite complex.
“We’ve completed our planned drilling at Santa Anna, with 29 holes for 2,272 metres, being a critical part of our due diligence process to acquire the project,” Power Minerals managing director Mena Habib said.
“Results from this program will provide up-to-date information to enable us to plan follow-up work, ahead of a decision on the acquisition.”
Samples from the program have been fast-tracked for laboratory analysis, with results expected in July.
“Subject to results of this drilling program, and a decision to proceed with the acquisition of the project, our goal is to complete an exploration target for the project, and all going well this will be closely followed by a maiden mineral resource estimate,” Habib said.
“Carbonatite assets such as the Santa Anna project are highly sought after, and Power considers the option to acquire the project to be a rare opportunity to acquire such a large and prospective carbonatite field.”
Previous drilling at Santa Anna returned highly promising grades, including 14m at 0.71 per cent niobium oxide (Nb₂O₅) from 6m (including 5m at 1.18 per cent Nb₂O₅ from 14m), and 14.95m at 12,434ppm TREO from surface, including 6m at 22,284ppm from 8m.
Gallium results included 14m at 164.1 grams per tonne (g/t) gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃) from surface and 51m at 60.6g/t Ga₂O₃ to end-of-hole.
If acquired, Santa Anna would significantly enhance Power’s strategic critical minerals portfolio and solidify its position as a South America-focused clean energy metals explorer and developer.
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